Connector

ABSTRACT

The electrical connector disclosed herein includes a novel seal for sealing the parts of the connector against dirt and moisture and for insuring an electrically conductive path between the different parts of the connector and the shielding for the cables. The seal includes a center body of resilient, electrically nonconductive material and a resilient metal outer rim which insures an electrically conductive path between the two parts of the housing. When the housings are secured together the resilient material in the seal tends to flow radially outwardly so as to spread the electrically conductive rim against the two parts of the housing whereby the pressure is uniformly distributed throughout all portions of the seal.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John J. Phillip 2,783,295 2/1957Ewing 174/35 m I A I N f zf g f FOREIGN PATENTS PP I22] Filed m 23 [9681,226,685 7/l960 France 339/94 [45] Patented Aug. 3, 197i PrimaryExaminer.loseph H. McGlynn [73] Assignee C 8: ll Technology, Inc.Attorney-Dun R. Sadler Santa Monica, Calil. Continuation 0! applicationSer. No. 606,077, Dec. 30, 1966, now lbflndon' ABSTRACT: The electricalconnector disclosed herein includes a novel seal for sealing the partsof the connector [54] CONNECTOR against dirt and moisture and forinsuring an electrically conm 2 Dn'lns m ductive path between thedifferent parts of the connector and the shielding for the cables. Theseal includes a center body of [52] US. Cl. 339/94 M "fluent.electrically nonconduclive material and a resilient [51 I G metal outerrim which insures an electrically conductive path [50] Field of Search339/94 beween the two pans f the housing w the housing; are securedtogether the resilient material in the seal tends to flow I56] radiallyoutwardly so as to spread the electrically conductive UNITED STATESPATENTS rim against the two parts of the housing whereby the pressure2,700, l 40 1/1955 Phillips 339/94 (M) is uniformly distributedthroughout all portions of the seal.

M 52 z 2 12 54 f "5 a 40 a a 7: a a! x o m at a PATENTEU AUG 3 l97| CONNECTOR This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 606,077,filed Dec. 30, I966 in the name of John J. Phillips and now abandoned.

The present invention relates to electrical connector means and moreparticularly to means for interconnecting a plurality of electricalcables with each other.

it is customary to interconnect the electrical conductors or wires inelectrical cables with the electrical conductor in another cable orelectronic equipment by means of mating connectors. The connectorsnormally contain sets of registering contacts such as pins and socketsthat electrically engage when the connectors are mated. One of theproblems frequently encountered in making a satisfactory connector issealing the junction between the two connectors whereby moisture, dust,etc. is prevented from interfering with the operating of the contacts.One means of scaling is to provide various forms of resilient gasketsconsisting of an elastomer, such as rubber. Although such gasketmaterials are generally satisfactory for providing moistureproofjunctions, they are usually electrically nonconductive and accordingly,interfere with the electrical interconnection between the matingconnectors.

Under some circumstances it is highly desirable to provide anelectrically conductive shield in or around the cable to prevent anyform of electromagnetic energy producing stray or spurious currents inone or more conductors in the cables. It is to be noted that theeffectiveness of the shielding is depen dent upon all portions of theshield being electrically interconnected with each other and with groundby means of a continuous low resistance path. Since the gasket materialis electrically nonconductive it has been found extremely difficult, ifnot impossible, to maintain a high degree of coupling between theshielding on both sides of the connectors. This problem is particularlyacute when the stray electromagnetic energy is of a higher frequency andtends to travel entirely on an electrically conductive surface ascontrasted with a low frequency or DC signal that travels through thematerial. it will thus be seen the foregoing connectors have not beenentirely satisfactory for all applications, and particularly in thoserequiring a high degree of shielding against high frequencyelectromagnetic energy.

The present invention provides means for overcoming the foregoingdifficulties. More particularly the present invention provides means forsealing a connector against the entrance of moisture, dirt, etc. whilestill forming a continuous electrically conductive path for eliminatingspurious signals and particularly those signals which are produced byhigh frequency electromagnetic energy. in the single embodiment of thepresent invention disclosed herein this is accomplished by providing asealing gasket adapted to be utilized between a pair of matingconnectors so as to seal the mating surfaces. This gasket includes aresilient elastomer, such as rubber, for sealing the junction. Inaddition an electrically conductive rim is provided around the resilientportion in a position whereby it is compressed between the matingelectrically conductive outer portions of the connectors. When the twoconnectors are tightly secured together the resilient elastomer ishighly compressed and seals the mating surfaces on the connectors. inaddition the resilient material tends to flow radially outwardly andthereby expand the metal rim into more intimate electrical contact withthe-connector housing.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of oneembodiment thereof wherein-like reference numerals refer to like partsand wherein;

FIG. I is a side view, with portions thereof being broken away, of aconnector utilizing one form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view, on a greatly enlarged scale, with a portionthereof broken away of the seal utilized in the connector of FIG. I.

Referring to the drawings in more detail the present invention isparticularly adapted to be embodied in a sealing gasket [0 for use insealing a pair of connectors 12 and 14 for interconnecting twoelectrical cables 16 and 18. It should be understood, however, that thisgasket 19 may also be used for connecting a cable or any type ofelectrical equipment to any other electrical equipment.

The electrical cables 16 and 18 are of a conventional variety andincludes a bundle 24 of independent electrical conductors or wires 20.Normally each of these wires 20 is surrounded by a layer of insulatingmaterial 22 whereby the wires 20 are electrically isolated from eachother. The entire bundle 24 of wires 20 is, in turn, surrounded by asuitable cover to maintain the wires 20 together. This cover may beelectrically insulating material. The cover may also or alternativelyinclude an electrically conductive shield 28 that completely surroundsthe entire bundle 24 of wires 20. This shield 28 may be of anyconventional variety. However, in the present instance it is of thewoven variety containing a plurality of metal strands. In the event thisshield 28 is exposed to any stray electromagnetic fields electricalcurrents will be created in the shield 28. These currents will tend totravel along the shield 28 without being coupled into any of theindependent wires in the bundle 24. The end of the shield 28 may includea coupling, such as a rigid or semirigid collar 36. This coupling isattached to the shield 28 by soldering or any other suitable means ormaintaining it in intimate electrical contact with the shield 28. Theshield 28 and collar 36 tenninate short of the ends of the bundle 24whereby the individual conductors have exposed ends.

The ends of the cables 16 and 18 extend through a neck 30 or 32 into theside of the connector l2 and 14 whereby the exposed ends of theindividual wires 20 extend into the interior of the connectors.Fastening means, such as a threaded nut 34, may be provided on the endof the cables 16 and 18 for being threaded onto the necks 30 and 32 anddrawing the coupling 36 against the end of the neck 30 or 32. This willtightly secure the cable 16 or 18 to the connector 12 or 14 and providea sealed junction.

in addition the end of the shielding 28 will be maintained in intimateelectrical contact with the connector 12. Accordingly a continuousunbroken electrical path will always be maintained between the shielding28 and the connectors 12 and 14. if any stray currents are created inthe shielding 28 and are circulating thereon they will also circulateinto and around the connectors 12 or 14.

The actual structure of the two mating connectors 12 and 14 may be ofany desired variety. By way of example the two connectors 12 and 14include separate generally cylindrical housings 38 and 40 having matingends 42 and 44. Each of the housing 38 and 40 includes a smoothcylindrical passage 46 or 48 which are aligned with each other when thetwo ends 42 and are mated.

in order to secure the two housing 38 and 40 together any suitablefastening means 50 may be provided. The present fastening means 50includes a detent 52 carried by a collar 54 which is free to slide onthe barrel 56 of the housing 38. A second collar 58 is rotatably mountedon the housing 38 and threadably engages the first collar 54. Byrotating the second collar 58 the detents 52 may be moved axiallyrelative to the housing 38.

The connector 14 includes a plurality of detents 60 positioned to engagethe first detents $2 and secure the connectors 12 and I4 together. Thesedetents 42 are preferably on the ends of spring fingers 62 whereby thetwo connectors 12 and 14 may be mated by pushing them together until thefingers 62 snap over the ends of detents 52. Similarly they may beseparated by pulling them until the fingers 62 snap over the detents 52.

To lock the connectors l2 and 14 together a sleeve 64 may be provided onthe housing 38 for movement inside of the spring finger detents 62 bymeans of the pushrod 66. This prevents the detent fingers 60 beingdeflected radially inwardly and over the detents 52. Once the detents 52and 60 are locked together by sleeve 64 the collar 58 may be rotated topull the collar 54 axially inwardly and draw the connector housings 38and 40 together whereby the ends 42 and 44 are insured of mating. Torelease the connectors 12 and 14 the sleeve 64 is retracted to permitthe finger detents 60 being sprung over the detents 52.

The exposed ends of the individual conductors or wires 20 are equippedwith contacts 68 and 70 that mate with a complimentary contact on thecorresponding wire in the other bundle. These contacts may be of anydesired variety, however, in the present instance they are of theso-called pin and socket variety. The pin contacts 68 include anenlarged barrel and a reduced end or shank that forms a pin 72. The bareend of the conductor 20 is inserted into the center of the barrel andsecured in position by soldering, crimping, etc. The socket contacts 70include an enlarged barrel having an axial passage that forms a socket74 for receiving the pin 72. The opposite end of the barrel includes anopening for receiving the bare end of the wire 20.

In order to maintain the contacts 68 and 70 in position one or moreinserts 76, 78, 80 and 82 may be disposed in the passages 46 and 48 inthe two housings 38 and 40. In the present instance two separate inserts76-78 and 80-82 are provided in each passage 46 and 48 respectively.These fit snugly into their respective passages 46 and 48 and engage aradial flange on the ends 42 and 44 of the housing 38 and 40 wherebythey are prevented from passing through the end. A suitable keeper 84and 86 is threaded into the passages to engage the back of the insertsand clamp them against the shoul ders. The various inserts include aplurality of passages 88 into which the contacts 68 and 70 arepositioned.

Before the pairs of block 76-78 or 80-82 are assembled and mated asuitable snap fastener 90 may be provided in the passages 88 for lockingthe contacts in position. After the inserts 76, 78, 80 and 82 are inposition and the contacts 68 and 70 are secured to the ends of the wires20 they may be inserted through the passages 88 until the barrels havepassed into the snap fastener 90 and the connectors are locked intoposition.

It can be appreciated the two connectors 12 and 14 may be mated andsecured together as described above. At the time they are mated the pincontacts 68 will slide into the socket contacts 70 and thereby establishand maintain electrical continuity between the various wires in the twocables 16 and 18.

Before securing the two connectors 12 and 14 together the gasket may beplaced on one of the connectors whereby the junction between theconnectors 12 and 14 will be sealed. The gasket 10 includes a main body92 that is essentially a disc or a relatively flat thin member. The body92 includes a resilient material or elastomer such as a rubber which canbe relatively easily deformed. One side of the body 92 has a planesurface 93 effective to fit tightly and snugly against the end of theend the insert 78. The periphery 96 extends radially outwardly aroundthe entire body 92. This extends over the end 42 when the body 92 isfitted against the insert 78 and registers with the end 42. Theperiphery 96 will thereby be compressed between the two ends 42 and 44.

A plurality of passages 98 are provided through the body 92 so as toregister with the pins 72 projecting from the insert 78. The insidediameters of these passages 98 are somewhat smaller than the outsidediameters of the pins 72. This provides a tight fit between the pins 72and the passages 98 whereby the gasket 10 will stay put on the pins 72and snug against the end of the insert 78. Also it will tend to improvethe sealing action.

The opposite side of the body 92 includes a plurality of projectionsI00. These are positioned substantially concentric about the passages 98so as to form a raised shoulder 102 about each of the pins 72 when thegasket 10 is positioned against the insert 78. These shoulders 102 areadapted to engage the end of the insert 80 when the two connectors l2and 14 are initially mated. When the collar 58 is turned to tighten thetwo connectors 12 and 14 the resilient body 92 is compressed between thetwo inserts 78 and 80 and a moistureproof, dustproof etc. seal isformed. This seal will thereby protect the electrical contacts 68 and70.

When high frequency energy is incident upon the cables 16 and 18 and/orconnectors 12 and 13 correspondingly high frequency currents circulatein and around the shield 28 and the connectors 12 and 14. If allportions of the shield 28 and the connectors 12 and 14 are electricallyconnected together and to ground by a low impedance path very little, ifany, of the signals will be coupled onto wires 20. It has been foundthat when the frequency approaches or exceeds a threshold level thepassages 46 and 48 tend to act as a waveguide whereby theelectromagnetic energy can be coupled through the connectors 12 and 14.This is effective to shunt this energy to ground without inducingspurious signals on the wires 20.

However. if the mating ends 42 and 44 are sealed by an electricallynonconductive material, such as the periphery 96, the space 104 betweenthe ends 42 and 44 forms a very high impedance to high frequency signalsthat may be circulating on the surfaces of the passages 46 and 48. As aconsequence the high frequency signals do not travel freely through theconnectors whereby the overall grounding effect is greatly reduced andobjectionable signals tend to be coupled onto one or more of the wires20.

in order to avoid this difficulty an electrically conductive rim 106 maybe provided around the periphery 96. In the present instance this rim106 is a metal member which is folded into a U-shaped cross sectionhaving two convergent sides I08 and 110, as best seen in FIG. 2. Theperiphery 96 is disposed between the opposite sides of the rim I06 andmaintains it on the body 92. The two sides I08 and 110 engage the twoends 42 and 44 and forms a low impedance path across the space I04between the two parts of the connectors 12 and 14.

in order to use the present invention the gasket 10 is slipped over thepins 72 and forced against the insert 78. The periphery 96 now overlapsthe end 42 and the electrically conductive rim 106 contacts the end 42.The two connectors 12 and I4 may be mated whereby the pins 72 extendinto the sockets 74 and the detents 60 snap over the detents 52. Theconnectors 12 and 14 are now secured together and electricallyconductive paths are provided between the various wires 20 in the cables16 and 18. The sleeve 64 may then be moved inside of the detents and thecollar 58 tightened. This will draw the two connectors 12 and 14together.

in the drawing together process the shoulders I02 will first engage theinsert and then the entire body 92 will be compressed between theinserts 78 and 80. At the same time the rim 106 will be in engagementwith the two ends 42 and 44 whereby the rim 106 and the periphery 96will be compressed therebetween. As the main body 92 is compressed in anaxial direction between the inserts 78 and 80 it forms a highlyeffective leakproof seal. At the same time at least a portion of thematerial in the body 92 tends to flow radially outwardly toward and intothe rim 106. This radial flow of the resilient material in the body 92will be effective to expand the two sides 108 and 110 in an axialdirection. To facilitate the flexing of the sides 108 and H0 in responseto the various forces imposed thereon, a plurality of radial slots [12may be provided in the sides M6 at several circumferential points. Thisaction, in combination with the compressing of the rim 106 between theends 42 and 44, will force the two sides I08 and H0 very firmly againstthe ends 42 and 44. As a consequence a very highly effective leakproofseal will be provided in the space 104 and a low impedance path will bemaintained across the space 104.

it may be seen a low impedance path is formed from the shielding on thecable 16 all the way to the shielding on the cable 18. As a consequenceany stray currents whether direct, high frequency or anywheretherebetween will be effectively grounded and prevented from beingcoupled to any of the conductors in the cables. The success of thisgrounding action is dependent to a considerable degree upon theeffectiveness of the electrical contacts between the various matingsurfaces having a low resistance.

Very frequently the various parts of the connector are made oflightweight materials, such as an aluminum alloy. All

materials and particularly these lightweight materials, tend to corrodeand to some extend form oxide coatings having relatively high electricalresistances. As a consequence, if the grounding paths include matingcorroded surfaces, the shielding action is degraded.

In order to avoid this difficulty it has been found desirable to providea noncorroding material on the various mating surfaces. For example, onthe ends of the neck 30 and the collar 36, as well as on the neck 32 andcollar 34. Also the mating ends 42 and 44 of the housings 38 and 40 maybe similarly protected.

Although these surfaces may be of any desired variety it has been foundadvantageous to provide a material such as a noble metal (i.e. gold,platinum, silver etc.) which does not corrode and provides anuncontaminated surface with a very low electrical resistance. A thincoating may be formed by plating, flashing, etc. the noble metal ontothe surface. It has been found, however. the coating tends to wearthrough and/or become scored and scratched after a relatively smallnumber of opening and closing cycles. Accordingly if the connector is tobe opened and closed a large number of times it has been found desirableto provide a thicker more rugged ring of noble metal. A ring ofconsiderable thickness can withstand a large amount of abuse withoutdestroying the surface. The ring may be secured in position by anysuitable means such as brazing, soldering, welding etc.

While only a single embodiment of the present invention is disclosedherein, it will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art thatnumerous changes and modifications may be made thereto without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosureand description thereof are for illustrative purposes only.

What 1 claim is: I. An electrical connector for coupling together theindividual conductors in a pair of shielded multiconductor cables, saidconnector including a pair of electrically conductive housings having apassage extending axially inwardly from open ends thereof, said endsbeing adapted to mate with each other whereby'said passages are aligned,

annular faces on said ends of said housings surrounding the passages,said faces forming electrically conductive surfaces which register witheach other when said housing are mated but are separated by apredetermined space therebetween,

an electrically nonconductive insert disposed in each of said i passagesand having an electrically nonconductive face exposed through said openend of said passage, said exposed faces being surrounded by saidelectrically conductive annular faces and separated from each other by apredetermined space when the housings are mated,

a plurality of electrical contacts in each of said inserts, each of saidcontacts being accessible through the face of the insert and positionedto mate with a corresponding contact in the other insert to formelectrical circuits therebetween,

means for electrically interconnecting the shielding on said cables withtheir respective housings and for interconnecting the conductors in saidcables with the contacts in the respective inserts, and

a seal disposed between said housings and including an electricalnonconductive resilient body and an electrically conductive outer rim,said body being disposed in the predetermined space between the faces ofthe inserts and compressed therebetween, said outer rim being disposedon the periphery of the body and surrounding said center, said rim beingdisposed in the predetermined space between the annular faces andpositioned to engage said faces and maintain an electrically conductivepath between the housings.

2. The connector of claim 1 including fastening means for securing saidhousings together with the ends thereof mated,

said fastening means being effective to axially compress said resilientbody and said rim whereby the axial forces on said seal are distributedthroughout all portions of the seal.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein said rim is an annulus having a pairof radially inwardly directed flanges which encompass the opposite sidesof said periphery,

said flanges being positioned to electrically engage the annular faceson the housing,

fastening means for securing said housings together with the endsthereof mated, said fastening means being effective to compress saidresilient body between the faces on said inserts whereby said body tendsto flow radially outwardly into said rim and effective to compress saidflanges against said periphery whereby said periphery tends to flowradially inward into said body.

4. An electrical connector for coupling a pair of shieldedmulticonductor cables together, said connector including a pair ofelectrically conductive housings adapted to be electrically connected tothe shielding an electrically nonconductive insert inside each of saidhousings, each of said inserts having a face exposed through the end ofits respective housing,

an electrically conductive annular face on each of said housingssurrounding the faces on the inserts,

a plurality of electrical contacts in each of said inserts accessiblethrough the exposed faces of the inserts, each of said electricalcontacts being positioned to mate with a corresponding contact in theother insert to form electrical circuits therebetween,

an electrically nonconductive seal having a center position disposedbetween the faces on said inserts and a peripheral portion disposedbetween the annular faces, said seal including a resilient material forsealing the faces of said inserts,

an electrically conductive rim disposed between the annular faces onsaid housings and effective to maintain an electrically conductive pathfrom the shielding on one cable through the housings to the shielding onthe other cable, said rim surrounding the peripheral portion of theseal, and

fastening means for securing said housings together and forcing themaxially together whereby the faces of the inserts compress said sealtherebetween and tend to cause the seal to flow radially outwardlytoward said rim and force the rim against the annular faces and wherebythe annular faces force the rim against the peripheral portion and tendto cause said portion to flow radially inwardly.

S. A combined seal and RF gasket for use in an electrical connectorhaving a pair of housings, an electrically nonconductive insert withineach housing having a face exposed through the end of its respectivehousing, a plurality of electrical contacts in each of said insertspositioned to mate with a corresponding contact in the other insert, anelectrically conductive annular face on each of said housingssurrounding the faces on the inserts, said combined seal and RF gasketincluding the combination of an electrically nonconductive member ofresiliently deformable material,

a center portion of said member being adapted to be disposed between thefaces on said inserts,

a peripheral portion of said member being adapted to be disposed betweenthe annular faces on said housing, and

an electrically conductive rim disposed on said peripheral portion, saidrim being positioned to electrically engage the annular faces on saidhousings to maintain an electrically conductive path between saidhousings.

6. The combined seal and RF gasket of claim 5 wherein said rim includesa pair of resilient flanges which are disposed on the opposite sides ofthe peripheral portion for electrically engaging said annular conductivefaces,

said center portion being effective when axially compressed between thefaces of the insert to tend to flow radially outwardly toward said rimand force said flanges axially against the annular faces,

said flanges being effective when compressed between said annular facesto compress the peripheral portion therebetween whereby it tends to flowradially inwardly.

7. A combined seal and RF gasket for use in an electrical connectorhaving a pair of electrically conductive housings, an electricallynonconductive insert within each housing having a face exposed throughthe end of its respective housing, a plurality of electrical contacts ineach of said inserts positioned to mate with a corresponding contact inthe other insert, an electrically conductive annular face on each ofsaid housings surrounding the faces on the inserts, said combined sealand RF gasket including the combination of a substantially cylindricalresiliently deformable sealing member of an incompressible insulatingmaterial,

an electrically conductive ring surrounding said sealing member, saidring having a hollow arcuate cross section with the open sidesurrounding the edge of said sealing member, said sealing member havingapertures enabling said electrical contacts to pass therethrough. andraised bosses adjacent each aperture, whereby said inserts deform saidbosses and cause radial deformation of said sealing member upon assemblyof said connector.

8. in the structure of claim 7, said ring closely encompassing theperiphery of said sealing member and restraining radial deformation ofsaid resilient sealing member.

9. In the structure of claim 8, said ring having slits in the arcuatewalls enabling axial expansion of said ring by deformation of saidsealing member to electrically contact said annular faces on saidhousings and maintaining electrical conductivity between said housings.

10. An electrical connector for coupling together the individualconductors in a pair of shielded multiconductor cables. said connectorincluding a pair of electrically conductive housings having a passageextending axially inwardly from open ends thereof, said ends beingadapted to mate with each other whereby said passages are aligned,

annular faces on said ends of said housings surrounding the passages,said faces forming electrically conductive surfaces which register witheach other when said housings are mated but are separated by apredetermined space therebetween,

an electrically nonconductive insert disposed in each of said passagesand having an electrically nonconductive face exposed through said openend of said passage, said exposed faces being surrounded by saidelectrically conductive annular faces and separated from each other by apredetermined space when the housings are mated,

a plurality of electrical contacts in each of said inserts, each of saidcontacts being accessible through the face of the insert and positionedto mate with a corresponding contact in the other insert to formelectrical circuits therebetween,

means for electrically interconnecting the shielding on said cables withtheir respective housings and for interconnecting the conductors in saidcables with the contacts in the respective inserts, and

a seal disposed between said housings and including an electricallyconductive outer rim and an electrical nonconductive resilient bodyhaving an annular periphery, said body being disposed in thepredetermined space between the faces of the inserts and compressedtherebetween, whereby the body flows radially outwardly toward theperiphery when the inserts compress it therebetwecn, said outer rimhaving a pair of flanges surrounding the periphery of the body, said rimbeing disposed with said flanges engaging said faces and maintaining anelectrically conductive path between the housings, said flangescompressing said periphery therebetween so as to force it to flowradial? inwardly until said flows are balanced, ll. A combine seal andRF gasket for use in an electrical connector having a pair ofelectrically conductive housings, an electrically nonconductive insertwithin each housing having a face exposed through the end of itsrespective housing, a plurality of electrical contacts in each of saidinserts positioned to mate with a corresponding contact in the otherinsert, an electrically conductive annular face on each of said housingssurrounding the faces on the inserts, said combined seal and RF gasketincluding the combination of a substantially cylindrical resilientlydeformable sealing member of an incompressible insulating materialhaving a main portion and a relatively thinner edge portion, anelectrically conductive ring surrounding said sealing member, said ringhaving a hollow arcuate cross section with the open side surrounding theedge portion of said sealing member. 12. An electrical connector forcoupling a pair of shielded multiconductor cables together, saidconnector including a pair of electrically conductive housings adaptedto be electrically connected to the shielding an electricallynonconductive insert inside each of said housing, each of said insertshaving a face exposed through the end of its respective housing, anelectrically conductive annular face on each of said housingssurrounding the faces on the inserts, a plurality of electrical contactsin each of said inserts accessible through the exposed faces of theinserts, each of said electrical contacts being positioned to mate witha corresponding contact in the other insert to form electrical circuitsthere between an electrically nonconductive seal having a center portiondisposed between the faces on said inserts and a peripheral portionthinner than said center portion disposed between the annular faces,said seal including a resilient material for sealing the faces of saidinserts, an electrically conductive rim disposed between the annularfaces on said housings and effective to maintain an electricallyconductive path from the shielding on one cable through the housings tothe shielding on the other cable, said rim surrounding the peripheralportion of the seal, and fastening for securing said housings togetherand forcing them axially together whereby the faces of the insertscompress said seal therebetween and tend to cause the seal to flowradially outwardly toward said rim and force the rim against the annularfaces and whereby the annular faces force the rim against the peripheralportion and tend to cause said portion to flow radially inwardly.

1. An electrical connector for coupling together the individualconductors in a pair of shielded multiconductor cables, said connectorincluding a pair of electrically conductive housings having a passageextending axially inwardly from open ends thereof, said ends beingadapted to mate with each other whereby said passages are aligned,annular faces on said ends of said housings surrounding the passages,said faces forming electrically conductive surfaces which register witheach other when said housing are mated but are separated by apredetermined space therebetween, an electrically nonconductive insertdisposed in each of said passages and having an electricallynonconductive face exposed through said open end of said passage, saidexposed faces being surrounded by said electrically conductive annularfaces and separated from each other by a predetermined space when thehousings are mated, a plurality of electrical contacts in each of saidinserts, each of said contacts being accessible through the face of theinsert and positioned to mate with a corresponding contact in the otherinsert to form electrical circuits therebetween, means for electricallyinterconnecting the shielding on said cables with their respectivehousings and for interconnecting the conductors in said cables with thecontacts in the respective inserts, and a seal disposed between saidhousings and including an electrical nonconductive resilient body and anelectrically conductive outer rim, said body being disposed in thepredetermined space between the faces of the inserts and compressedtherebetween, said outer rim being disposed on the periphery of the bodyand surrounding said center, said rim being disposed in thepredetermined space between the annular faces and positioned to engagesaid faces and maintain an electrically conductive path between thehousings.
 2. The connector of claim 1 including fastening means forsecuring said housings together with the ends thereof mated, saidfastening means being effective to axially compress said resilient bodyand said rim whereby the axial forces on said seal are distributedthroughout all portions of the seal.
 3. The connector of claim 1 whereinsaid rim is an annulus having a pair of radially inwardly directedflanges which encompass the opposite sides of said periphery, saidflanges being positioned to electrically engage the annular faces on thehousing, fastening means for securing said housings together with theends thereof mated, said fastening means being effective to compresssaid resilient body between the faces on said inserts whereby said bodytends to flow radially outwardly into said rim and effective to compresssaid flanges against said periphery whereby said periphery tends to flowradially inward into said body.
 4. An electrical connector for couplinga pair of shielded multiconductor cables together, said connectorincluding a pair of electrically conductive housings adapted to beelectrically connected to the shielding an electrically nonconductiveinsert inside each of said housings, each of said inserts having a faceexposed through the end of its respective housing, an electricallyconductive annular face on each of said housings surrounding the faceson the inserts, a plurality of electrical contacts in each of saidinserts accessible through the exposed faces of the inserts, each ofsaid electrical contacts being positioned to mate with a correspondingcontact in the other insert to form electrical circuits therebetween, anelectrically nonconductive seal having a center position disposedbetween the faces on said inserts and a peripheral portion disposedbetween the annular faces, said seal including a resilient material forsealing the faces of said inserts, an electrically conductive rimdisposed between the annular faces on said housings and effective tomaintain an electrically conductive path from the shielding on one cablethrough the housings to the shielding on the other cable, said rimsurrounding the peripheral portion of the seal, and fastening means forsecuring said housings together and forcing them axially togetherwhereby the faces of the inserts compress said seal therebetween andtend to cause the seal to flow radially outwardly toward said rim andforce the rim against the annular faces and whereby the annular facesforce the rim against the peripheral portion and tend to cause saidportion to flow radially inwardly.
 5. A combined seal and RF gasket foruse in an electrical connector having a pair of housings, anelectrically nonconductive insert within each housing having a faceexposed through the end of its respective housing, a plurality ofelectrical contacts in each of said inserts positioned to mate with acorresponding contact in the other insert, an electrically conductiveannular face on each of said housings surrounding the faces on theinserts, said combined seal and RF gasket including the combination ofan electrically nonconductive member of resiliently deformable material,a center portion of said member being adapted to be disposed between thefaces on said inserts, a peripheral portion of said member being adaptedto be disposed between the annular faces on said housing, and anelectrically conductive rim disposed on said peripheral portion, saidrim being positioned to electrically engage the annular faces on saidhousings to maintain an electrically conductive path between saidhousings.
 6. The combined seal and RF gasket of claim 5 wherein said rimincludes a pair of resilient flanges which are disposed on the oppositesides of the peripheral portion for electrically engaging said annularconductive faces, said center portion being effective when axiallycompressed between the faces of the insert to tend to flow radiallyoutwardly toward said rim and force said flanges axially against theannular faces, said flanges being effective when compressed between saidannular faces to compress the peripheral portion therebetween whereby ittends to flow radially inwardly.
 7. A combined seal and RF gasket foruse in an electrical connector having a pair of electrically conductivehousings, an electrically nonconductive insert within each housinghaving a face exposed through the end of its respective housing, aplurality of electrical contacts in each of said inserts positioned tomate with a corresponding contact in the other insert, an electricallyconductive annular face on each of said housings surrounding the faceson the inserts, said combined seal and RF gasket including thecombination of a substantially cylindrical resiliently deformablesealing member of an incompressible insulating material, an electricallyconductive ring surrounding said sealing member, said ring having ahollow arcuate cross section with the open side surrounding the edge ofsaid sealing member, said sealing member having apertures enabling saidelectrical contacts to pass therethrough, and raised bosses adjacenteach aperture, whereby said inserts deform said bosses and cause radialdeformation of said sealing member upon assembly of said connector. 8.In the structure of claim 7, said ring closely encompassing theperiphery of said sealing member and restraining radial deformation ofsaid resilient sealing member.
 9. In the structure of claim 8, said ringhaving slits in the arcuate walls enabling axial expansion of said ringby deformation of said sealing member to electrically contact saidannular faces on said housings and maintaining electrical conductivitybetween said housings.
 10. An electrical connector for coupling togetherthe individual conductors in a pair of shielded multiconductor cables,said connector including a pair of electrically conductive housingshaving a passage extending axially inwardly from open ends thereof, saidends being adaptEd to mate with each other whereby said passages arealigned, annular faces on said ends of said housings surrounding thepassages, said faces forming electrically conductive surfaces whichregister with each other when said housings are mated but are separatedby a predetermined space therebetween, an electrically nonconductiveinsert disposed in each of said passages and having an electricallynonconductive face exposed through said open end of said passage, saidexposed faces being surrounded by said electrically conductive annularfaces and separated from each other by a predetermined space when thehousings are mated, a plurality of electrical contacts in each of saidinserts, each of said contacts being accessible through the face of theinsert and positioned to mate with a corresponding contact in the otherinsert to form electrical circuits therebetween, means for electricallyinterconnecting the shielding on said cables with their respectivehousings and for interconnecting the conductors in said cables with thecontacts in the respective inserts, and a seal disposed between saidhousings and including an electrically conductive outer rim and anelectrical nonconductive resilient body having an annular periphery,said body being disposed in the predetermined space between the faces ofthe inserts and compressed therebetween, whereby the body flows radiallyoutwardly toward the periphery when the inserts compress ittherebetween, said outer rim having a pair of flanges surrounding theperiphery of the body, said rim being disposed with said flangesengaging said faces and maintaining an electrically conductive pathbetween the housings, said flanges compressing said peripherytherebetween so as to force it to flow radially inwardly until saidflows are balanced.
 11. A combined seal and RF gasket for use in anelectrical connector having a pair of electrically conductive housings,an electrically nonconductive insert within each housing having a faceexposed through the end of its respective housing, a plurality ofelectrical contacts in each of said inserts positioned to mate with acorresponding contact in the other insert, an electrically conductiveannular face on each of said housings surrounding the faces on theinserts, said combined seal and RF gasket including the combination of asubstantially cylindrical resiliently deformable sealing member of anincompressible insulating material having a main portion and arelatively thinner edge portion, an electrically conductive ringsurrounding said sealing member, said ring having a hollow arcuate crosssection with the open side surrounding the edge portion of said sealingmember.
 12. An electrical connector for coupling a pair of shieldedmulticonductor cables together, said connector including a pair ofelectrically conductive housings adapted to be electrically connected tothe shielding an electrically nonconductive insert inside each of saidhousing, each of said inserts having a face exposed through the end ofits respective housing, an electrically conductive annular face on eachof said housings surrounding the faces on the inserts, a plurality ofelectrical contacts in each of said inserts accessible through theexposed faces of the inserts, each of said electrical contacts beingpositioned to mate with a corresponding contact in the other insert toform electrical circuits therebetween, an electrically nonconductiveseal having a center portion disposed between the faces on said insertsand a peripheral portion thinner than said center portion disposedbetween the annular faces, said seal including a resilient material forsealing the faces of said inserts, an electrically conductive rimdisposed between the annular faces on said housings and effective tomaintain an electrically conductive path from the shielding on one cablethrough the housings to the shielding on the other cable, said rimsurrounding the peripheral portioN of the seal, and fastening forsecuring said housings together and forcing them axially togetherwhereby the faces of the inserts compress said seal therebetween andtend to cause the seal to flow radially outwardly toward said rim andforce the rim against the annular faces and whereby the annular facesforce the rim against the peripheral portion and tend to cause saidportion to flow radially inwardly.